CPS water test results below EPA lead, copper limits
Over the summer, Columbia Public School tested 1,429 water samples across the district. They used a private company out of Peoria, Illinois for the testing.
Out of the 1,429 samples, only 49 came back with elevated copper and/or lead levels. Two of those samples were from Douglas High School while under construction.
CPS retested the remaining 47 samples. Retests involved flushing the faucet for at least 30 seconds before testing the water. Of the 47, only three came back again with elevated levels. The three samples — one at Shephard Blvd. Elementary, another at Field School, and the third at Fairview Elementary — were all in science lab areas. Water in those areas should not be used for drinking per general lab safety protocol.
Overall, the results showed 96.6 percent of samples tested were below the EPA’s maximum level allowed from lead. 99.2 percent of samples were below the EPA’s maximum level allowed for copper.
A letter was sent to parents at Fairview elementary explaining the results. Fairview had 37 samples taken with only the one showing elevated levels of lead. CPS explained a leaky faucet is to blame for this sample. They said because it was leaky, it was slowly corroding away at the pipe. CPS has scheduled to replace the sink.
CPS is not required by law to test their water. The district gets their water from the City of Columbia, which tests the water on its own. The city also has some test sites that include CPS buildings, however, there has never been a comprehensive test done for all of the school districts’ buildings.
Because this was a precautionary test and there is no precedent for testing, the school district will now have to decide how often to test the water. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark says they will look to other school districts across the country as well as the EPA for guidelines on how to move forward.
The lab, PDC Laboratories, said CPS submitted many more samples than they normally receive. The lab spokesman said CPS is likely above average for overall passing grades.
The district spent $41,200 on the testing which was approved by the board in March after a public bid process.
You can find a summary of the report here.
